My Farmer's Market has bulk EVOO - is it ok?

[sherahtaylor]

They have it for $4.79/lb - and just says "Extra Virgin Olive Oil" on the container. No other info - they're kind of a family run business. Is there anything I should ask about it? If it's cold pressed, maybe? It's SO expensive at my HF store...like $18 a bottle for cold pressed 16oz. in the bottle.

[Ama]

Yes... you want to make sure that it is cold pressed and not heated.

What should "cold-pressed" really mean?
"When you go to the health food store and look in the oils section, you may see a lot of oils labeled as cold-pressed. But most, if not all, of those oils are not really cold-pressed Cold-pressed should mean that the oil was extracted in such a way that it was not subjected to heat, and additionally, that heat was not generated in the process of the oil being extracted. If a little heat is generated, it should be below the temperature at which the value of the oil is destroyed. Genuinely cold pressed oils have all their nutritional value intact, including enzymes, Omega 3's and 6's, and other known and unknown factors. These oils must be refrigerated to preserve their freshness.

In practice, what does cold-pressed mean?
Most cold-pressed oils have been heat treated. Seeds that are going to be mechanically pressed are usually cooked first to increase their yield. this means they are heated to 248 degrees F for up to two hours. This process cracks the seed, exposing the oils to air and light, which cause oxidation. The oils is then extracted by squeezing the cooked seeds with screw presses, which generate heat again (appx 185 degrees - 203 degrees F). These oils are sold as unrefined, but, as you can see, they have gone through at least two heat processes, which destroyed their nutritional value. Such heated oils are detrimental to your health because most of their fatty acids have been converted from the natural cis fatty acid form (present in unheated oil) to trans fatty acids, which are toxic and have been implicated as a causative factor in heart disease and cancer."

... taken from "Hooked on Raw" by Riho p307

[sherahtaylor]

Hmmm...okay, so basically what I got out of that is when you're buying EVOO, make sure it is refridgerated AND says cold pressed - that will tell you if it's truly cold pressed. Am I right? If so, I've been buying the wrong one! =(

[Sharon in Colorado]

It is up to you if you wish to consume olive oil. Remember, it's extracted, a pure fat and not a whole food.

The decision is yours, some do and some choose not to.

[sherahtaylor]

Thanks for the reminder - I don't consume much, just some in different recipes like onion bread, etc. I loooove my coconut oil and sub that as much as I can.

[Sharon in Colorado]

I am the same way. If I happen to use it in a recipe, I use a miniscule amount. I don't eat it (coconut oil) or put it in smoothies. Actually I put the coconut oil in my hair!